So What’s Your Level?That depends on the number of people in your family, your health, and theirs. If it’s just you and you’re relatively healthy, then a bronze plan may be fine. If you’re married and have a couple of kids but you’re all healthy, consider silver. If anyone in your family has a chronic health condition or a past medical problem that may recur, you might be better off with gold or platinum. How The Costs Shake OutTake a family of four with a 45-year-old husband, a 42-year-old wife, two kids under 21, and an annual income of $70,000. They opt for the silver plan, which covers 70% of their health care bills and costs $1,015 a month before subsidies. Subtract the estimated $466 monthly tax credit the government will provide and their monthly cost drops to $549. Experts called navigators will be available at no charge via phone and online through live chat to help you identify the best plan for you. The navigators are specially trained to walk you through the process. That’s important, because what seems like the cheapest plan may actually cost you more, depending on your health care needs. Another option may be available, depending on your income: Medicaid. Some states are expanding Medicaid programs to more uninsured people with very low incomes—childless adults and others whose household incomes are up to 138% of the federal poverty level (which comes out to $15,856 for a single person; $21,404 for a couple). If you’re not eligible for Medicaid, you can use the marketplaces to get insurance. But there’s a glitch in the system: Tax credits to help pay for insurance are available only to those whose household incomes are between 100 and 400% of the federal poverty level—so there’s currently no financial help for people with incomes of less than $11,490 for a single person or $15,510 for a couple. This may one day be resolved through future legislation. Questions? Ask our expert Deb Gordon (@debragordon2012) during our Twitter chat on @PreventionMag Monday, September 30 from 1 PM - 2 PM. Join in using hashtag #PVNHealth.
